2023-12-19-BOH-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Matthew Waguesrpeck, a non-resident, asked how the Health Department would conduct inspections. Stated it is a preference that inspectors do not come into a lab with healthy animals after inspecting another facility. Dr. Heiger-Bernays opened up a discussion of the matter to Board members: Ms. Wolf-Fordam had several comments regarding grammatical mistakes in the draft and requested consistency of terms. Example; ordinance vs. regulation. The regulation term should be used for a BOH regulation. Dr. Heiger-Bernays explained that Lexington being a Town uses bylaws not ordinances. Ms. Belanger answered questions as well as discussed standard of procedures (SOP) and suggested draft regulations remain as written and grammatical errors be corrected by staff. Dr. Geller had no further comments or questions. Dr. Heiger-Bernays questioned the use of the term liaison and Ms. Belanger stated that the Board had settled on that term for lack of another one. Michelle Schatz stated that it is likely that the liaison would be conducting only one lab inspection on a typical day and that will be explained to the facility being inspected on that day. She also stated that a 20% increase in animals in a facility would be a reasonable number to use. The application process would be the place to start and help the Town be alerted to changes. Ms. Belanger stated that the qualifications of liaison and Community Committee member are in job descriptions, not regulations. There were no additional questions from Board members. Dr. Heiger-Bernays motioned to adopt regulations with a second by Dr. Geller. Unanimously approved by all members voting with Dr. Tung recusing. Regulation to become effective, on May 1, 2024. Artificial turf health risk assessment presentation (crumb rubber infill) BUSPH MPH Students: Dr. Heiger-Bernays provided the Board of Health with an update on the turf risk assessment. Also, Dr. Heiger-Bernays introduced several of her students who presented a project on artificial turf health risks. The presenters were Simon Zhou, Lauren Payne, Mahi Mirchandani, and Emily Leonard. They relayed their concerns and opinions to the Board. Housing violations - 118 Kendall Rd: Ms. McCartin received a housing complaint in November 2023 for 118 Kendall Rd. Ms. McCartin discovered several violations while inspecting a property. As a result, an emergency order for housing and health code violations was issued, and the property was condemned. The Board was provided with all necessary information and documents to support this decision. No questions were raised by the Board regarding the issued orders.